The Crocodile Bird

First edition, first impression. SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, WITHOUT DEDICATION, IN BLACK PEN, ON TITLE PAGE. Some very slight edge wear to top and bottom of jacket and spine, Waterstone's 'Signed First Edition' band, top corners slightly bruised, not price clipped (£14.99), no other inscriptions, internally clean tight and square, overall a vg+ copy, looks almost unread. 298pp. Liza, a naive 17-year-old, is forced to leave home by her obsessively protective mother, Eve. Their life together is at an end, because Eve is a murderess. This explores the theme of innocence and experience, while retaining the constant tension of violent death. Classic Ruth Rendell (1930-2015). Scarce signed.